Shore to have seaside fun
The ‘Malle Mile’ organisation was responsible for ‘The Inappropriate Motorcycle Beach Race’, a sub-title that puts it in a sea-shell. It’s part of an expansion of its roster of events since the initial Malle Mile event took place near London, conducted on terra considerably firma in 2015.
The Beach Race – held on May 21 – is a more recent idea and this involved a long weekend, including music and partying, at Margate, Kent. Riders still capable competed in straightline and circuit races as well as a team ball game billed as Moto Polo.
The categories of bikes included lightweights, customs, classics and antiques, the last for pre-65 machinery. A sandy beach is a riding challenge, so many of the bikes had fitted suitable tyres, but several were still on road rubber. Given the tricky surface, there were some unpredictable results from either choice. A further variable was the course, which required occasional adjustment as the tide came in.
The Sunday included participation in the road-based ‘Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride’ the well-known annual charity fund-raiser.